Method of producing soluble alkaline compounds.



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. PAUL,RA-D110.AN1\T, or eonneinn, swEDENf' nnirnononritonuo nesotiintn ALKALINE COMPOUNDS. 7

1,209,201. 'No Drawing.

To all whom it mag/concern:

Be it known that 'I, P-1TL-*RADMANN, a subject of the King of Sweden, residing at Gcdegard, Sweden, 7 useful Improvements in Methods of Producing Soluble Alkaline Compounds, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention refers to a method of producing soluble alkali metal compounds (especially potassium compounds) p from alkali-bearing rocks (especially feldspar) or devitrifying products.

The method consistsin heating a suitable or proper mixture of the rock or devitrifying product and gypsum to a temperature falling below the temperature at which the mixture fuses. After this heating process the resulting mass contains the soluble alkali metal compounds in a condition allowing of their being easily separated or recovered,-

and the recovery of these alkali metalcom pounds is easily done 6. g. by washing the mass with water.

The inventor is aware that it has previously been proposed to produce soluble alkali metal compounds by means of amixture of feldspar and gypsum, but this was done by fusing themixture. In so doing only a portion of the alkali metal compounds escapes in the form of gas and is recovered, whereas a greater or smaller portion, according to the temperature, remains in the fused mass. If the remaining alkali metal compounds are to be recovered by means of washing, the mass has first to be disintegrated by means of a special and separate process, but on account of the vitreous na ture of the mass the gain is very small. lVith the known method and with the process here in question masses of quite a different nature are being obtained, and Withthe known process it is very probable that even by making use of three different operations, viz. the recovery of the alkali metal compounds escaping as vapor, the disintegration of the remainder of the mass and the washing of the same, no such good result will be obtained as by the single operation with the invention here referred to, viz. washing for instance. Furthermore the high temperatures required in connection with the known process for obtaining the best possible result ofier great difficulties in. obtain ing a construction of furnace in which the material used for the construction is able to resist the influence of the fused mass and the have invented n'ew an'd lining of the furnace.

to the mixture.

App1ication-fi1edMay 23, .1914. Serial No. 840,434.

ases. the process forming the object 3f this'invention the mixture is not fused,

and therefore does not. affect lor corrode the -With this invention has therefore been oba practical process According to tainedgiving a good result.

sweetie n r Patented D9019, ieie.

the present invention a suitable and proper proportion 'of limestone may also be added Tests carried out have roved that thebest result is obtained if the mixture is finely pulverized to about the fineness ofcement The mixture is then similar to flour or powder. The proper temperature in the process of this mvention is between something like 1000 to 1250 G. As suitable proportions in the mixture may be mentioned 0.25 to' 1 part by weight ofgypsum, with or without the addition of up to 3 parts by weight of limestone, to 1 part by weight of feldspar. heat of up to 11100 or 1250 C. is required.

In making practical use of the invention the time during which the heatin process is going on may vary within wi e limits, from one hour to several days, all dependent upon-the nature ofthe devices used.

The following table shows the result of some tests made on the basis of the invention herein:

When mixing it ought to be seen to that the materials used are mixed as closely and carefully as possible. Afterward, when the alkali metal compounds have been washed out, the remainder of the mixture treated may be turned into cement, with or without the addition of limestone.

What I claim is:

1.. A process of producing soluble alkali metal compounds from alkali-metal bearing rock consisting in heating a mixture of the said rock, gypsum, and limestone, in the proportion of one part by weight of rock, one half part by weight of gypsum, and

For such a mixture a three pants by weight of limestone, to a temperature falling slightly below the fusing point of the mixture.

2. A process of proclucinq soluble alkali 5 metal compounds from alkali metal bearing In to 3 parts by Weight of limestone, to a temperature of 1100 to 1250 centigrade.

'3. A process of producing soluble alkalivmetal compounds from alkali-metal bearing rock consisting in heating a mixture of the said rock, gypsum, and limestone, in the proportion of one partby weight of rock, one

half part by weight of gypsum, and three parts by weight of limestone, to a temperature of 1150 centigrade.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

PAUL RADMANN. Witnesses J. F. A. RUTRK K, M. LINDQUIST. 

